USA > Delaware > New Castle County > New Castle > Fort Casimir : the starting point in the history of New Castle, in the state of Delaware : its location and history, 1651-1671 > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Gc 975.1 D377p no. 43 1521449
M
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
L
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 02254 3851
Gc 975.1 0377p no. 43 Cooper, Alexander B. Fort Casimir
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/fortcasimirstart43coop
FORT CASIMIR.
PAPERS OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF DELAWARE. XLIII.
FORT CASIMIR.
THE STARTING POINT IN THE HISTORY OF NEW CASTLE, IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.
ITS LOCATION AND HISTORY, 1651-1671.
BY ALEXANDER B. COOPER, EsQ.
-
"Writers are the main landmarks of the past."-Bulwer.
Read before the Historical Society of Delaware, Feb. 20, 1905.
THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF DELAWARE, WILMINGTON, 1905.
THE JOHN M. ROGERS PRESS, WILMINGTON, DEL.
1521449
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.
Mr. President, and Members of the Historical Society of Delaware :
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :- The paper which I shall read this evening, and which has been prepared with much labor and care, I have entitled, "Fort Casimir. The Starting Point in the History of New Castle, in the State of Dela- ware. Its Location and History. 1651-1671."
For convenience I have divided it into two parts. Part I, Relates more particularly to the location of the fort, and matters, incidental thereto. Part II, Relates exclusively to its brief, yet eventful history.
If its reading should prove as interesting to the hearer, as its preparation has been to the reader, he will feel more than compensated for his labor.
"FORT CASIMIR." 1651-1671.
PART I.
There is some historical mention, which might lead one inadvertently to believe, (considering the apparently authori- tative source from which it comes), that there had existed for some twenty years prior to the erection of Fort Casimir by the Dutch, a Swedish town, at or near its site, called "Stockholm." Mr. John F. Watson, the well known his- torian, in his exceedingly interesting and accredited work entitled "Annals of Philadelphia and Pennsylvania in the Olden Time," at page 8, Volume I, states: "The Swedes claim our notice from and after the year 1631, as the time of their arrival assigned by their historian, Campanius. At that time they laid out the present New Castle, under the name of 'Stockholm.'" Again on the same page he says, "the numerous forts, as called under the Government of the Swedes, very probably, often mere block-houses, indicate the state of their apprehension from enemies. Whether their Dutch neighbors, (at New Amsterdam, now New York) gave significant signs of intentions eventually to supplant them, is not now so obvious; but it is a matter of record that the Dutch, as early as 1651 built Fort Casimir, and called the place, 'Nieu Amstel' at the present New Castle. As it had before been a Swedish town under the name of 'Stockholm,' the Swedish Governor Printz, did what he
6
FORT CASIMIR.
could to prevent it by solemn protest". Beyond such gen- eral statements, the writer has been unable after a thorough and careful search, to find anything to corroborate or sustain such a contention. If such a town ever did exist, beyond the fertile imagination of Campanius, (a most inaccurate and fanciful writer) it must have been very short-lived, small and insignificant, as nothing more is known or said of it.
"Stockholm" seems to have been built, solely in the imagination of Campanius, "the Scandinavian Munnchausen of Delaware," who took more delight in weaving and publish- ing fabulous stories of the "Sea Spiders" (King Crabs) here, that had tails "half an ell long, and made like a three-edged saw, with which the hardest tree may be sawed down," or of the rattle snakes with heads "like that of a dog, and can bite off a man's leg as clear as if it had been hewn down with an ax," etc., than in recording veritable history.
The Swedes had undoubtedly laid claim to all that part of the territory and may have designated it (as some have asserted) under or by the general name of "Stockholm", after the capital of their country. Be this as it may, both by authentic history and by the best tradition it is now universally conceded that the building of Fort Casimir was the starting point in the history of the present city of New Castle.
This old fort, while well suited for the purposes of its day, was a small structure, undoubtedly built of wood,-for as will hereafter be seen it began to go into decay within a few years from its erection and was a total wreck and thing of the past within twenty years therefrom. It was built in the year 1651 sometime subsequent to May 25th, presumably
7
FORT CASIMIR.
during the early summer, by Petrus Stuyvesant "the Dutch Director-General of the whole of the New Netherland," which included the territory of Delaware. This most unique and interesting character was born in Holland. He served in the West Indies, was director of Curacoa and lost a leg in an attack on the Portuguese Island of St. Martin, when lie returned to his native country. During his subsequent life he wore an artificial wooden leg "bound with sterling silver bands".
Washington Irving in his humorous history of New York, dubbed him "Peter the Headstrong," and characterized him as a "tough, sturdy, valiant, weather-beaten, mettlesome, obstinate, lion-hearted, generous-spirited old Governor, ever ready to draw the sword." He was surely a man of many sterling qualities and good parts. His remains now lie buried in a vault built for the purpose, under St. Mark's Church at Tenth street and Second avenue, in the City of New York. In response to an inquiry, the Reverend L. W. Batten, D. D., Rector of the Church, kindly wrote the writer of this article under the date of May 9th, 1903, "Petrus Stuyvesant's vault lies under the present church. There was a stone tablet, oblong, in the wall of the church con- taining this inscription:
'In this vault lies buried Petrus Stuyvesant, late Captain- General and Governor-in-Chief of Amsterdam in New Netherland now called New York, and the Dutch West India Islands, died in A. D. 1671-2, aged 80 years.'" Mr. Batten then goes on to say, "about two years ago the Stuyvesant family put up a new blue stone tablet, of the same size and shape as the old one. The inscription is the same, save un- happily the date is simply 1672." Yes unhappily! It is to
8
FORT CASIMIR.
be regretted and deplored, that in the renovating of old monuments and tombstones the tendency now-a-days is to change and modernize them. Good taste as well as accuracy demands that there should be no change. Not the slightest. If the exact date of an event is not known, it is misleading to give one. But to return. Stuyvesant first arrived at New Amsterdam (N. Y.) on May 27th, 1647. He at once assumed official authority over the whole of New Nether- land and began preparations which he intended should result in more effectually strengthening his Government. He
established Courts of Justice there and ordered a general election of 18 delegates, who in turn selected 9 of their num- ber as the Governor's Advisory Council. He adopted a policy and spirit of amity and conciliation with the Indians along the North (now Hudson) river, whom his predecessor William Kieft, had by his lack of judgment and offensive- ness incited to malignant hostility. Under very severe penalties and forfeitures, he prohibited and practically stopped, the further sale of intoxicating liquors and fire- arms to them. He prescribed and enforced a rigid observance of Sunday, erected a better class of houses and taverns, founded public schools and established public squares, markets and annual fairs for the people,-thus inspiring new life and vigor into that portion of the colony,-and they pro- gressed rapidly. Having accomplished so much at New Amsterdam, he turned his attention to the claims and inter- ests of the Dutch on the South (now Delaware) River, par- ticularly that portion of the territory lying and being on its western shore. The previous difficulties and contests with the Swedes at Fort Christina (Wilmington) as their central government, caused him much anxiety and apprehension, as
9
FORT CASIMIR.
they were constantly gaining strength. He feared that any efforts of a conciliatory character would be fruitless as the bitterness of feeling between them had grown very great. He considered the situation well, and finally concluded that there was but one way to reach them and establish the claims of the Dutch to that side of the River. This was by force and arms, if they did not at once and without unnecessary parley submit. With this determination he came over from New Amsterdam to the Dutch Fort Nassau (near Glouces- ter, N. J.) and from this point communicated with Governor Printz (the Swedish Director) soliciting a personal interview with him. This Governor Printz readily granted, and they met in conference on or about the 25th day of May, 1651. Printz fully and minutely set forth the claim of the Swedes to the territory in dispute, particularly that part lying south of the Christiana River (then called Minqua Creek).
He at first absolutely refused to relinquish any part of it, but finally said that if he did " his people demanded some substantial tribute." Stuyvesant was not that kind of a man, nor was he there for any such purpose. He defiantly and in angry tones refused any such proposition, and said that he "would neither admit nor submit to any of the claims of the Swedes." Printz was fully conscious of and realized the power of Stuyvesant and the Dutch Government at New Amsterdam, as well as his own weakness to contest with them. He was anxious to come to some terms before they separated. He feared lest in the end Fort Christina might be taken from him. Finally "after much discussion and altercation," he entered into a treaty, whereby "all of the lands which had been originally ceded to the Dutch by the Indians in 1633 were again ceded to Stuyvesant
10
FORT CASIMIR.
by him." This cession in extent included all the lands and territory lying between the present Christiana River on the North, and Bombay Hook on the South. This territory, it is superfluous to say, embraces within its bounds that point of land (in olden times variously called "Grape Vine Point," "Sandhuken," &c.), which extends into the Del- aware River, and upon which Fort Casimir was built and the City of New Castle now stands.
This is one of the most beautiful points of land in its natural surroundings on the bay and river, and from the high and fast character of the land,-with large marshes on either side,-well suited for the purpose of erecting fortifica- tions for the defense of the early settlers in that vicinity. Under the treaty of Printz and Stuyvesant, the Swedes retained Fort Christina and the land occupied by them north of the Christiana River.
The precise date of this sudden and peculiar treaty and submission of Printz is unknown, but was presumably (as nothing is said to the contrary) on the day of the first meet- ing,-which appears to have been May 25th. Historians have also failed to find any reasonable motive to warrant such action on the part of Printz, unless he was induced by "some substantial tribute." Immediately after the treaty and cession were concluded, Stuyvesant abandoned Fort Nassau, came down the river, took possession of the new territory and erected Fort Casimir.
This was the first structure built in the present City of New Castle. The actual building of it could not have occu- pied much time. It can therefore be stated with almost absolute certainty, that it was built in the early summer of 1651. Presumably in June. Following his desire and
THE ORIGINAL IMMANUAL CHURCH, NEW CASTLE, BUILT ABOUT 1700.
11
FORT CASIMIR.
intention to improve the colony here, as he had already done in New Amsterdam, Stuyvesant began at once to encourage the immigration of his countrymen, the erection of build- ings, wind mills to grind flour, laying out of the town, and its general improvement, by establishing markets, fairs, etc., as he had done at New Amsterdam. In a very short time there were at least twenty-six Dutch families added to the settlement. Buildings were erected and streets laid out. In the centre of New Castle, there is now a large square or tract of land, occupied principally by the old Court House and County Jail (the courts having been removed to Wil- mington in 1881), Immanuel P. E. Church, and the public school buildings. Prior to the erection of these buildings, it was a vacant or common public square and used for public purposes,-markets, fairs, etc., from the time whereof the memory of man runneth not to the contrary. Is it not a reasonable suggestion to make, that this square was laid out and appropriated to the public uses and for the public pur- poses of the inhabitants of the town by Petrus Stuyvesant, the acknowledged patron of markets and fairs in New Amsterdam (now New York) ? The particular purposes for which it has been used in modern times, were created by an act of the General Assembly, of the freemen of the coun- ties of New Castle, Kent and Sussex upon the Delaware, . and the Province of Pennsylvania, passed on June 13, 1772. The old State House, gaol and county buildings, as also the Immanuel Church and the old Market House, which were all built prior to the time of the passage of this act, seem to have been erected upon the square, without any claim of title or authority, other than the common consent and acquiescence of the inhabitants of the town, as being
12
FORT CASIMIR.
in the interest and for the use of the public. The title and the various preambles of the act sufficiently disclose this. It is entitled "An Act for Vesting the State House and Other Buildings with the lot of ground whereon the same are erected, together with other ground, situated in the town of New Castle, in trustees for the uses therein particularly mentioned." Each section has a preamble. The first pre- amble recites, "Whereas the lot of land, situate in the square, called the Market Square, in the center of the town of New Castle, and contained within the bounds follow- ing :" (a portion of the square is then described by metes and bounds) "hath at all times been considered, taken and held as ground dedicated to the use of the public, and accordingly a State House, gaol and other buildings, have been erected thereon at the charge of the County of New Castle," etc. It is then enacted, that the title be vested in Thomas Mckean, George Read, John McKinly, Alexander Porter, George Monro, John Evans and David Thompson, gentlemen, and the survivors and survivor of them in fee simple, upon the proper and suitable trusts therein named. The same preamble and provision are made with reference to Immanuel Church (which occupied another part of the square), and Aeneas Ross, Richard McWilliams and Joseph Tatlow were created trustees, upon appropriate trusts. The title to the northerly corner of the square, under a similar preamble, stating that "the inhabitants of the said town intend to erect a school house thereon, and are desirous of having the same appropriated and applied to that use," was vested in fee in David Finney, John Thompson, George Read, Thomas Mckean and George Monro, "in trust never- theless for the erecting a school house or school houses
13
FORT CASIMIR.
thereon, and to be for that use forever." The preamble to the fifth section of the act recites, "And whereas the remain- ing part of the aforesaid market square, hath at all times been considered, taken and held as ground belonging to the inhabitants of the said town of New Castle for the holding of fairs, markets and other public uses, and a market house hath accordingly been erected thereon at the charge of the said inhabitants." It is then enacted that the title thereto be vested in David Finney, John Thompson, George Read, Thomas Mckean and George Monro, in trust "for the use of the inhabitants of the said town of New Castle forever." At that date the entire market square was bounded by the present Delaware, Orange and Harmony streets, and the roadway on the southeasterly side of the present Market street. The old market house stood on the plot of land where the town hall is now situated.
The present town hall stands on the exact site of the first market house, and was built in 1820. The roadway on the northwesterly side of Market street, was probably opened through the square, so as to afford more easy and convenient access to the State House, gaol, Immanuel Church and to the northwesterly side of the market house.
The main purpose of this interesting digression, is to show that it is more than probable, as before stated, that market square was a design of, and was originally laid out and dedicated to the inhabitants of New Amstel (as it was then called), for the public use and enjoyment, by Petrus Stuy- vesant, the builder of Fort Casimir, and as such the veteran pioneer of New Castle. William Penn had nothing what- ever to do with the laying out of this square as some have erroneously supposed. The precise spot upon which Fort
14
FORT CASIMIR.
Casimir stood, is a little obscure, although the boundaries of the lot whereon it was erected are certain. The writer for a long time thought that it was located on Front street between Harmony and Chestnut streets,-everything seemed to so point-but after a more careful examination, he has very recently found an old survey and plot which has forced him to change his opinion. There is sufficient information to be gathered not only from general writers of the State's history, but from the public records and documents still in existence here and in Albany (N. Y.), to conclusively show : First, that it was on the northeasterly side of the town. Second, that it was on the river front or "Strand,"-as it was then called. Third, that it went into decay and ruin, and was abandoned about 1670 or 1671. Fourth, that it was the only fort built by the Dutch at New Castle. Fifth, that in 1670 or 1671, while the English were in possession and after its destruction, a block house (to take its place for purposes of defence) was ordered and built farther in and towards the west of the town. This block-house was built at or near the site of Immanuel Church. Sixth, that in 1675 the people wanted this last block house moved to a more cen- tral part of the town, where they could also have a court house and prison,-and it was so moved to a point at or near where the old court house now stands, at the southeasterly end thereof, where the first permanent and substantial court house was erected. The other parts of the present building have been erected since. The main building about 1708. The first small wing on the northeast side in 1765. It was torn down and the present larger wing erected in 1845. Mr. Joseph H. Rogers, now in his 88th year, and a promi- nent and respected resident of New Castle, who, through
15
FORT CASIMIR.
himself, his father and grandfather has kept in touch with the events of the city for at least one hundred and fifty years, recently told the writer of this paper, that it has always been understood, that the bell which now hangs in the belfry of the old court house, was presented in some way, by Queen Anne of England. Possibly from her "Bounty." The proof of these several assertions or statements of the writer is derived from various sources, a list of which is appended to this paper, but it is only necessary to refer, principally, to some of the existing records and universally conceded facts. With some few exceptions (isolated houses) the main part of the town laid along the "strand," or what is now Front or Water street, in a southwesterly direction from the fort and around or near the Market Square.
The fort was called "Fort Casimir," by the Dutch,- after John Casimir, Prince Palatinate of the Rhine,-" Fort Trinity," while the Swedes occupied it, (it having been captured on Trinity Sunday), and "Fort Amstel," by the Dutch, when re-taken by them. Under the subsequent English rule the town was called New Castle, and has so remained to this day. There are numerous deeds of record in Wilmington, granting lots "South of the Fort." On February 9th, 1656, a lot was granted to Jacobus Crabbe, "below and adjacent to the Fort." In Deed Record A, page 1, is a land patent from Alexander D. Henyosa, etc., Governor of Delaware River, etc., to Gerrit Van Sweeringen, of a piece of meadow (or valley) and woodland lying "on the other side of the first marsh on the south of this Forte of New Amstel." This deed was signed and sealed "in the Forte of Nieuer Amstel this 3rd, July, 1664." This marsh was undoubtedly the marsh then in existence and through
16
FORT CASIMIR.
which a creek or stream of water ran, on the land now owned by the railroad company at the "Battery." It is also stated by some writers, with apparent authority, that "Fort Casimir was located on the north of the present town, on a promontory of land, long ago washed away." There is no point of land in the city, which could more accurately answer this description to the writer's mind, than the high point of land now known as "Potter's Field," on the river shore, at the northerly end of the town. It is high fast land, although much of it since that day has been washed away by the river. Front or Water street, which ran in front of the Fort and in a southerly direction, is (at that point) now entirely obliterated. To the personal knowledge of the writer some 30 or 40 feet of the fast land (and per- haps more) has been swept away by the erosion of the tides within the last 40 years. Front or Water street was one of the early streets, which were required under the regu- lations of the town, "to be laid out on the south side of the Fort, four or five rods wide."
Among the public records of New Castle County, in Deed Record A, Volume 1, page 71, may now be found, the following record of an old land warrant. This record seems to have been heretofore unknown, and is now made public for the first time within the writer's knowledge. This warrant describes the boundaries of the lot on which the Fort stood,-together with an adjoining lot. It reads,-"By virtue of a warrant from the Court of New Castle bearing date the eighth day of November, 1678.
Laid out for Engelbert Lott, two lotts of Ground situated in the towne of New Castle and att the North East end thereof, one of which lotts being the same whereon the Old
17
FORT CASIMIR.
Forte stood, the other being a lott formerly laid out for Hendrick Vander Burch, being bounded as followeth,-To the South West with the Highway or street which leadeth to the woods,-To the North East with the common, not yet taken up,-To the South East with ye street by ye water side,-To the North West by Land Street. Being long to the South West next the Highway 277 ft. to the north east 268 ft. being broad behind and before 220 feet, with express condition that the said Lott shall and will make even the Old Forte and have a sufficient street or Highway at the Water side laid out the 24th of May 1679.
was signed,
ED. CANTWELL."
Edmund Cantwell was the High Sheriff of the town, river and bay. Engelbert Lott, whose name has thus become prominent in history, was a shoemaker.
There is also an ancient survey made by Ephraim Herman, Surveyor, recorded in the Book of Surveys of New Castle County, at page 338, also apparently unknown, and of which the following is an exact copy, and its first publica- tion:
"New Castle, Nov. 23, 1681, by virtue of an order of ye Court of New Castle bearing date ye I, Nov. 1681. Laid out for Mr. Arnoldus D. Lagrange a vacant Peece of Land with a small Peece of Marsh to itt, granted by the court, for ye erecting a wind mill upon it, for ye common good of ye Inhabitants. Including in this survey a lot belonging to Rich. Kittle & sence purchased by ye said Lagrange and adjoyn that, granted him by the Court. The sd Land being scituate and lying att ye North East end of this towne of New Castle next to ye foott dyke, beginning att a stake
18
FORT CASIMIR.
standing near ye said foott dyke and from thence S. W. along ye Dyke street leading toward Land street 598 foott to ye corner of the thwart street, by ye old fort, then N. N. W. along ye street or way wch goest over ye Great Dyke 400 foott to ye corner of a little ditch which parts this from a Peece of marsh belonging to Mr. Moll, then E. b. N. E. along ye sd Little ditch 240 foot & E & N. E. along ye same 250 foot to another stake standing near ye Creek from thence S. E. b. S. 88 foot to ye first men- tioned stake. Surveyed by mee, EPH. HERMAN, Suvr."
This was called the "Wind-mill Lot", as it is endorsed on the said survey. Recorded with this survey is a draft or plot, which the writer has had copied, and annexed hereto for the purposes of this paper. It locates the lots of Engel- bert Lott, upon which the fort stood, with absolute certainty. (See plot. )
There is also a record of the court in the Prothonotary's office, which reads as follows; "att a court held at New Castle the second May. 1682.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.